The countdown begins!!! It always seems like the time after Spring Break goes by super fast and before you know it, it's the end of the year. April and May are filled with lots of fun activities, but also end-of-year assessments and screeners. We are excited about opportunities for parents to get back in the building and be involved with our students. We will be looking for parent volunteers for "Discover Days". See more information below about that event. Mr. Armbruster will be reaching out for parent volunteers to run stations for Field Day in May. We look forward to sharing information about our end-of-year picnic taking place on the last day of school. As we approach the end of the year, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or your child's teacher for more information.

Cordially,

Mr. Troast

Parents,

Did you know too much screen time can result in antisocial behaviors, attention problems, speech problems, tantrums, and aggression? As technology has become more prevalent in our society at home and school one of the topics that need to be addressed is the negative impact of too much screen time on young children.

When it came to screen time, kids who used screens more than one hour a day had poorer emerging literacy skills, less ability to use expressive language, and tested lower on the ability to rapidly name objects. In contrast, children who frequently read books with their caregivers scored higher on cognitive tests.

It's important that parents understand the adverse effects of screen time if used inappropriately. At early ages, having students pick up a book and read is proven to be more beneficial for cognitive development. Actively engage with your child in games and family activity nights. Monitor and document screen time to understand how much your child uses a phone, tablet, or computer.

Here are a few negative effects of too much screen time:

• Impairs Brain Development
• Impacts Learning Ability
• Responsible for Speech Delays
• Slows motor movement development
• Results in more tantrums and less regulation
• Attention Problems
• Impairs Social Skills
• Increases aggression and emotional problems
• Escalates attention-seeking behavior
• Sleep Problems
• Weight Problems

On April 8th there will be a solar eclipse. Cottonwood will participate in this unique event for 1st and 2nd Grade only!!! Kindergarten will not participate and may watch the event online via classroom smartboards. Our projected time frame for the eclipse in our area for 80-90% totality is between 1:30-2:00 pm. All students will have afternoon recess inside on April 8th.

We want to prioritize safety for all students, each student will have glasses that meet all NASA requirements for eye safety. If you wish for your child NOT to participate in this event please complete the form below for our records. An alternative activity will be provided for students who will not participate. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at corey_troast@usd368.org.

The following information was shared via Matt Meek Friday, March 29th:

Solar Eclipse Information

On April 8, 2024, our area will experience a 90% total solar eclipse. This rare celestial event has captured the interest and imagination of people throughout the district and area. In order to support the learning environment in our schools, Paola USD 368 will focus on the following learning objectives for the day as it relates to the eclipse:

1. Student and staff safety

2. Kansas State Science Standards

The district has secured enough solar filter safety glasses that meet the specifications and requirements outlined by NASA. As your child(ren) prepare for school in the next week please take a few minutes to talk with them about the eclipse and safe viewing. NASA offers the following resource to guide conversations: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/. Teachers will be reviewing and reinforcing this information with students as well before viewing.

As a safety precaution during the timing of the eclipse, schools will not be scheduling outdoor recess when the eclipse is at its strongest viewing in our area (approximately 12:40-3:10).

For classes planning to go outside to view the eclipse, staff will take precaution when supervising students to ensure solar filter glasses remain on each student while viewing.

Parents have the ability to opt their child(ren) out of outdoor viewing. Please communicate directly with your child’s teacher/school if you would like to opt your child out.

Kindergarten: Mary Miller and Rivington York

1st Grade: Jonathon Furnish and Harrison Weis

2nd Grade: Zoey Dodge and Hudson Weems

Parents,

Parents are welcome to come April 26th from 7:40 am to 8:20 am to enjoy donuts with their Cottonwood child(ren). For our Spring Event, we are extending it to grandparents as well as parents/guardians. Please complete the information below so we know how many families to expect. It's important that you RSVP so we can account for all family members.

Parents,

We are looking for volunteers for our Discovery Day Event on April 18th. Discovery Days is a day-long event at Cottonwood where students will rotate to various stations based on a city our staff visited this past summer. This year, we chose Dallas. In order to make this event successful, we need as many parent volunteers as possible to help run stations. THIS EVENT CANNOT happen unless we get enough parent volunteers to help. If you are able to help please complete the information below. I will send out reminders and additional information as we get closer to the event.

This is your last chance to sign up! I will be closing the sign up on April 10th, so I can finalize the schedule and email out parent assignments.

Discovery Days will be a SACK only Lunch Day. We will not be serving a hot lunch on the 18th. Instead, Cottonwood will be serving a sack lunch option. Please complete the Google form for each of your Cottonwood students.

The school sack lunch option will be:

Homemade Ham or Turkey/Cheese Sandwich

Carrots/Ranch

Fruit Cup

Chips

Milk

Parents,

We are looking for Buc-ee's gear for our Discovery Days event in April. If you have any gear or items from Buc-ee's that you are willing to let the school borrow, please email myself or Ashley Sullivan at corey_troast@usd368.org or ashley_sullivan@usd368.org.

April 8th: Eclipse

April 8th: Board Meeting 6 pm

April 12th: Kindergarten Field Trip

April 15th -16th: Dental Clinic

April 18th: Discovery Days

April 22nd - 26th: Spring Book Fair

April 24th: 1st Grade Field Trip

April 26th: Donuts with Mr. Troast

May 3rd: 2nd Grade Field Trip

Email: corey_troast@usd368.org
Website: https://www.usd368.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Cottonwood%20Elementary
Location: 709 Hedge Ln, Paola, KS 66071, USA
Phone: 913-294-8050
Twitter: @ourschool